I would have been a great ballerina.

~.~

"Ms Granger, are you listening or daydreaming during my instruction period?" A dim voice questioned. Hermione was groggy, she didn't even know what class she was currently in.

Hermione didn't stir quickly, she was slouched on the chair. Her head was lying low, and eyes rolled back. The bright shine from the sun was making it even worse. Hermione was next to the window, and the idea of curtains hadn't crossed her mind yet. She tried to wake up, really, but her head didn't seem it could support itself without her hands sustaining it, so she just let it sink further.

"Ms Granger? Ms Granger? Ms Granger!" A feminine voice kept repeating this, each time laced with an extra dose of sweet poison that was about to run out. Hermione could sense the impatience and annoyance radiating in whoever this was, but to Hermione, it was just a bunch of echoing that kept her from much needed sleep.

The disturbed student was beginning to wake, but apparently, she wasn't fast enough. "Oh dear," the teacher began, "I didn't want to do this." The professor quietly mumbled and supposedly got her wand out because she set off a deafening crack right next to Hermione's ear.

Hermione fell from her seat onto the floor, fully awake due to the sensory overload that just occurred. The class was shocked, but a few of Hermione's classmates were actually laughing.

"GOD! The fuck is this? I was rising!" Clasping her left ear, Hermione climbed back onto her chair with the unnecessary help of Harry before straightening herself out. Hermione's senses were still muddled as a result of post-sleep and that inane sound, but when she was able to gather the form of who was in front of her, Hermione glared viciously instead of backing down.

The supposed lady took a deep breath, clicking her tongue in disapproval before plastering that fake frog-like smile at me. "Ms Granger...glad you aren't missing this. Now I don't mean to make an example out of you Ms Granger, but I will if I must." Umbridge turned her body so it didn't just face Hermione, but the whole class. "Students, this is our O.W.L. year. If you decide to slack off, or in this case, daydream during your classes. You all must realise that you children are the future of the wizarding world, " she announced, pleadingly. Almost as if she was seeking to persuade them. "Your behaviour is not only hurting yourself but the entire wizarding world."

Of course, she's worried for her precious ministry statistics. Hermione thought, grudgingly. Us newcomers can't ruin the Ministry's "perfect" reputation, but there might not even be a ministry after this year.

"The ministry should be able to gleefully anticipate bright, young magical beings. I have been your teacher for what? One, two weeks, and I feel such sorrow to announce I am disappointed in this generation during my talk with the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge." Many of the students weren't surprised to hear abuse her connection with the Minister. It was a common practice for people of power, it helps them thrive in the social order and society.

"Now, Ms Granger, detention at eight, prepare to write lines." Hermione only let out a grim grin but allowed the Professor finish, "Now class, please flip to page thirty-four in your textbooks and start your readings for today," and went back to her desk as if everything was alright.

Everyone was spooked, some paranormal activity must have occurred because Hermione Granger just smiled at her first detention, none the less, one from Professor Umbridge. Ron and Harry were shaking Hermione's shoulder, hoping to get her attention so she could explain her newfound attitude. The gradual flipping of pages hinted at surrounding students reactions to this abnormality. Attempting to understand what just occurred, for everyone, this was going to a long year but Hermione Granger was thinking along the lines of fun.


After class, Hermione walked out of Defense by herself to the Gryffindor Common Room. Harry and Ron had Divination right after Defense while Hermione had Arithmancy, but the session wasn't until thirty minutes. While roaming the halls, it seemed the young student had followers.

"The fact that Granger actually smiled at Professor Umbridge is hilarious! She is not going to get any magical jobs, but you can't expect much from a mudblood." A shrill voice hissed, gaining in laughter from her audience.

Hermione felt the urge to turn back and slap all bigoted youth to tolerance, but she withheld impulse and let out a big smile. Although, the young Gryffindor found her stroll to be exhausting. The conversations behind her had the most downgrading effects, talks of how stupid muggle-borns and they'll be brought down. Hermione had always felt inferior to the purebloods, not because of her blood but because of the culture she lacked. The constant reminder plus that fact that the word muggles didn't roll off her tongue easily.

Honestly, why should I call muggles muggles? They're just normal people without magic. Ordinary human beings without the supernatural powers a handful of people possess. The only difference is magic, besides that, there isn't much to it. There shouldn't be a title to make magical beings feel superior to muggles. I mean, I always have to make it clear to Ron when I'm talking about muggles, and it took me so damn long to fit in with the Hogwarts students. Hermione often thoughts about this, her thinking always muddled. There were two sides to this. It did make sense for why magical people called the non-magical muggles. The non-magical are different, but they also outnumber them. Maybe they were just scared, to be related to something different that outnumbers them? It makes sense, but there was another side to it that Hermione didn't want to get into right now.

When Hermione opened the door to the Gryffindor tower, she realised her followers were still there. She was surprised, never thought the Slytherins would ever enter the tower. Well, there's a first for everything.

Hermione reversed her direction and headed towards the students. She stared at them with such ease that it made the teens a bit surprised.

"Hi, Draco." Hermione greeted Draco, she was only on a first name basis with Draco, even if he never wanted to admit it.

His embarrassment kept him silent, allowing Pansy to speak for him, "You know Granger, I've heard about your title, The Brightest Witch of Her Age, and I just can't seem to wrap my head around it."

It was Hermione's turn to say something, to defend herself. "You know, this is the first time you guys have sought me out by myself. It's always been about Harry or Ron. I've never been attacked unless I was with them. It's nice to know you guys have stepped up your game. Hey Draco, do you really support this?"

Pansy pulled back Draco to discuss what on Earth Hermione was hinting at. Draco just kept quiet, almost as if he was shy. This left Crabbe and Goyle with Hermione, they gave her vicious growls that were meant to scare her but she felt fine. "Hello Vincent, Gregory. How are you two today?" Hermione said with charm. The two boys just glanced at each other with confusion before glaring at her again.

Draco had done something in his First Year that he obviously regretted because he was hoping Hermione would keep her mouth shut but there weren't any guarantees. When the two Slytherins came back to the group, they decided to ignore Hermione and leave, letting her know she won the battle but not the war.

Before the teens escaped from Hermione's view she would make sure to inform them that she would tell McGonagall about the encounter but said, "Goodbye friends!"

The rest of Hermione's week was ordinary, went to class, stressed, ate, and slept some form of sleep. The young girl had carried out her detention on the day it was assigned but it was two hours of, I will not interrupt valuable class time for my personal activities, and, I will not use vulgar language when addressing an adult. Two scrolls each. Hermione found out she wasn't the only given detention, but Fred and George were there as well.

"Psst, Hermione. Whatcha you in here for?" God, George makes it sound like I've just been incarcerated.

"I truly don't know, she's the one who set off a damn firecracker next to my ear. I'm the victim, I don't know why I'm being punished." Hermione bitterly lamented. Even if the firecracker was a white lie.

"Firecracker. That's interesting." Fred whispered.

"Why are you guys here? Fred, I thought you said you were changing. I thought you were going to be- dare I say, good."

Fred puckered his lips smugly, "I tried that, it's overrated. We shouldn't suppress our true selves during our Seventh Years. Right, Georgie?"

George smiled greatly at Fred, "Right, dear brother of mine. But Hermione, we're here because we practised magic in her class."

"Like joke magic?"

"We do not call it "joke magic" but rather Art. We were practising defensive spells. Long story short, Umbridge said no, we resisted, might have ridiculed her, short-term memory." George said.

"Such a shame," Fred said mourningly.

"Yes, my mid-life crisis has arrived a bit early. Anyway, she gave us detention."

Umbridge didn't notice the three conversing in the back because of her full classroom so when the twins shared a plan with Hermione to get out there, Umbridge was unknowing to the plan behind the mess they left.

The redheads had supplied Hermione with a Puking Pastille, all three had one in hand. Hermione was wary though, she hadn't forgotten about the cough medicine Fred had shared with her. Even if had worked, the taste was just horrendous but agreed after convincing her. Peer pressure is a bitch. They agreed Fred would go first, then George with Hermione last. It wasn't the brightest plan but they just wanted to leave already.

Fred raised his hand five minutes after finalising the plan. He had feigned a sick condition, "Professor Umbridge, I don't feel so great. May I go to the loo?"

Everyone turned to the back, hoping this distraction would be good enough for detention to end. "Mr Weasley, there are forty-five minutes until dismissal, you can wait." The collective sighs had no effect on the teacher, and they all went back to writing lines. The three were still optimistic as Fred ate his pastille.

What came next was unpleasant. Fred's first spew of vomit had gone all over his desk and on the back of some brunette. This triggered the brunette to vomit next, this time, all over the floor. The students had scurried away from the two "sick" gathering around the edges. Hermione and George hadn't eaten their pastille yet, but George had gone over to Fred, hands wrapping his head, "Fred, Fred! Are you okay? Ahh, was it dinner? That chicken was looking a bit raw." When a bit vomit got on George, he bent his back and ate his pastille. He immediately threw up.

There were at least five kids who threw up already. Hermione was getting ready to consume the pastille when she put the candy down. She looked around, the students were frantic, the floor was a mushy, orange goop, and Umbridge was yelling out commands. Hermione couldn't do it, this was causing people misery, the stench, the environment. She had a choice and realised she didn't want to contribute to this mess.

Hermione joined the crowd of people avoiding the chaos until Fred spotted her. She shook her head and took further steps away from everyone. She was surprised he was still in the room, thought he left like his brother. Hermione shook her head again, saying no to all of this. But he nodded and mouthed that it was okay, and she felt reassurance.

The young teenager discreetly walked away from the crowd of terrified teens, near Umbridge's desk and ate the pastille.

Fred claimed it was amazing, Hermione threw up all over Umbridge's cat plates before running away.

Hermione transfigured two quills on hand into buckets when she found out there was no reversal of the Puking Pastille besides waiting it out. Fred and Hermione couldn't find George in any of the find bathrooms on their floor so they went to the Prefect bathroom. They went to the sink to freshen up and sadly, hand washed their robes before casting a drying charm.

After finishing their tasks, Fred found a vacant space in the corner near the window. He held Hermione's hand and led her to the discovered spot slowly. It wasn't comfortable or dry, instead hard and moist. Fred lay his back on the corner so Hermione wouldn't have to, she sat in front of Fred for a while before perching herself right next to him. Her back was uncomfortable without the support.

The two runaways held a small chat about George, where he was, if he got caught, and if he was okay.

"Hey Hermione?" Fred caught the attention of Hermione.

"Mmmm?" Hermione was on the verge of unconsciousness, her on Fred's chest, him untangling her curls.

"Are you okay? After that night, I don't know-do you want to talk about it?" Fred offered.

Hermione lowered her head so it could lie on his legs, she glanced at him, smiling with her eyes closed. Fred was probably drained, throwing up and everything. One of them hurled every five minutes though thus sleep wasn't a privilege at the moment.

The young girl took a deep breath, "Do you want the truth or not?"

"Truth."

"I trust you, Fred. I know I shouldn't but I do." She said, weakly.

The redhead picked a stray piece of hair from Hermione's face and joined it with her bun. "Thank you, Hermione." He didn't have to say he trusts her.

Hermione gathered her hands and cupped his face so she could feel his warmth and expression. "No, I'm not okay. Old memories are... resurfacing, I won't be okay for a long time," Hermione smiled in reminiscent," soon enough, I'll be fine."

"Do you want to talk about it?" Fred offered, again.

Hermione gazed at Fred, she felt hope dwindling as anything could go wrong, even in a moment like this. Hermione did consider the offer but told her self to be tough. "Not now."

Fred threw up right after that, causing Hermione to laugh uncontrollably. The two friends didn't focus on Hermione's issues or how she panicked during the jail-break. They laid in hushed silence, whispering little whimsical promises that meant nothing in the morning.


Please Review! Also, who is ready for the new year?